Music prof's 'retirement' concert mix of faculty, guest artists

The small world that is music brings together a lot of connections between Heidelberg current and former faculty members and guest artists from around the country. On Oct. 2-3, these connections will take center stage in two concerts – a guest artist recital featuring the Helios Trip and the “retirement” recital of Dr. Doug McConnell, professor of composition and music for 20 years.

Coming to Heidelberg from the University of Wyoming, the Helios Trio is comprised of Josh Fadial on violin, Beth Vanderborgh on cello and Chi-Chen Wu on piano. Included on the program will be Doug's While I Run This Race, a new McConnell work commissioned by the trio and The Wyoming Music Teachers Association. The composition is a programmatic theme and variations work, based on the spiritual, Guide My Feet, While I Run This Race.

The Helios Trio performance will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, in Brenneman Music Hall.

Doug's “retirement” recital, oft-rescheduled because of the pandemic, will feature his compositions from the past 25 years, performed by faculty members of Heidelberg’s School of Music & Theatre, past and present, as well as several guest artists.

The recital will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, in Brenneman Music Hall.

On the Sunday program is a new piece Doug composed just for the occasion. Over the years, he and Dr. Gail Levinsky, professor of music at Susquehanna University, have collaborated on a number of new works.

At Susquehanna, Levinsky heads a successful saxophone studio; one of her best students was a young player, Josh Heaney, who is pursuing a professional career as a performer and teacher – now a member of Heidelberg’s music faculty, teaching single reeds – one of those interesting small world events. Levinsky (alto saxophone) and Heaney (soprano saxophone) will combine to perform McConnell’s new duet, A Shining Synergy.

Heidelberg faculty members and alumni who will also perform include:

• Jeremiah Quayle, oboe
• Seth Innis, an ’07 Heidelberg alumnus, baritone, who will be performing Simple Songs, a composition of the poetry of retired English professor Bill Reyer
• Carol Dusdieker, soprano
• Cynthia Ramsdell, piano
• Jeff Manchur, piano

Guest artists on the program include:

• Margarita Denenburg, piano, former ‘Berg faculty member now teaching at the University of Texas at Austin
• Jackie Edwards Henry, piano
• Gail Levinsky, alto/tenor saxophone

Doug's career has encompassed composing, teaching and administration. His compositions have been performed throughout the U.S. and internationally. In addition to Heidelberg, he taught at Mississippi State University, St. Mary’s College and the University of Dayton.

He has composed for a variety of performing mediums, but he especially enjoys writing for voices. His catalog includes a variety of works for choirs and several song cycles and collections. He also has composed for theatre, including his most extensive composition in his opera, Lily, a 90-minute opera for children and families. His compositions for instrumental/keyboard forces include two piano trios and solo/chamber works for flute, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, organ, piano, and … accordion, which he will bring with him to perform Pablo’s Waltz during the Sunday concert.

Both performances are free and open to the public. Masks are required indoors and social distancing will be observed.